I Want A Game That Looks Like Avowed's Loading Screens

I found Avowed to be quite satisfactory during my approximately 50 hours of gameplay, mostly played in third person perspective. Although there were some minor issues with the game, its visuals and performance weren’t among them, even on the Xbox Series S, which is known as The Little Engine That Could. Additionally, Avowed presents a vibrant realism that it largely achieves successfully, but not exceptionally so. However, certain aspects of Avowed have sparked a desire within me for something more extraordinary.

Although it may not match the graphical intensity of games like Ghost of Tsushima from the last generation, that’s perfectly fine for me. It knows its boundaries and manages to appear contemporary without aiming for costly hyper-realism. The characters, particularly Caoimhe, have stunning eyes, which was a bit irritating during gameplay because I always covered Caoimhe’s eyes with Godlike petals as my character. However, the real disappointment came from the loading screens.

Games Are Lacking Colour These Days

In my previous comments, I mentioned that “Avowed looks good.” I believe you recall this comment from approximately 150 words back. However, it’s not just the overall appearance of Avowed that impresses me; its loading screens are particularly captivating. Unlike the main game, which strives for faux-realism, these screens offer stunning and vibrant representations of the game’s diverse settings. Some memory cutscenes/flashbacks also employ this style, enhancing the emotionally charged narrative. I can’t help but wish there was more of this art throughout the game as it significantly alters Avowed’s experience.

In simpler terms, the vibrant, sketch-like art style of this game might be too daring for a modern AAA title, as they typically aim for a level of familiarity to attract players. However, my colleague Andrew King suggests that niche games are becoming mainstream due to the success of complex gameplay systems. Avowed, on the other hand, is targeting a broader audience, which means it won’t take many risks initially. Despite the possibility of having more innovative stories or mechanics hidden beneath the surface, I believe it doesn’t. What it needs is an appearance that matches its intended audience. And it delivers on that. However, there are times when it looks even better than usual. This is the game I’m eager to play.

Indeed, Avowed is a game that indeed exists and was created over several years. It has garnered generally positive reception, and its visuals are distinctive, not resembling loading screens but rather reflecting the overall look of the game itself. You might have heard that Avowed appears visually appealing. What I’m less interested in is having Avowed’s loading screens as a representation of the game, and more in seeing that art style showcased on a larger scale within another title. It seems strange: I don’t appreciate the cartoonish renditions of the Tomb Raider and Legacy of Kain remakes (games aiming to emulate realism from their respective eras), but I also find it off-putting when everything else relies too heavily on realism. Perhaps I simply need to lighten my mood.

Avowed’s Art Style Delivers What It Needs To

Additionally, it’s worth noting that Avowed deserves some recognition for its visual appeal. Despite working within its budget, it manages to deliver a game that seems contemporary in 2025. Unlike many modern triple-A titles, it isn’t afraid to use bold colors extensively. Xbox games like Halo, Fable, and Gears of War tend to be more saturated, while Sony games typically lean towards cooler tones, such as God of War in blues, The Last of Us or Days Gone in grays. However, Spider-Man and Horizon Zero Dawn offer more light and color variety. While some might argue that God of War and The Last of Us are the epitome of console gaming, many games aim to emulate their style, which could explain the frequent comparisons.

Although Avowed offers only five primary settings, each one exhibits its own unique charm. While they may not stand out exceptionally in the fantasy genre, featuring a harbor town, an enchanted jungle twice, deserts of different types, and a forest, they still manage to feel separate from each other, which is significant. It’s not that I find the game’s art style abhorrent or a deal-breaker, but it presents something more imaginative without fully exploring it.

The Outer Worlds, also by Obsidian, had a similar contrast with its loading screens.

In Avowed, the art style may not be a significant concern for most players, as that was likely Obsidian’s intention. Other aspects of the game are expected to evoke stronger feelings. I’m eager to see how this game will be received overall. For now, I can only hope that the creative elements showcased in the loading screens might gain recognition eventually.

2025-02-19 21:04

I Want A Game That Looks Like Avowed’s Loading Screens

Games Are Lacking Colour These Days

Avowed’s Art Style Delivers What It Needs To

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